Weak clustering and self-quenching in a fluorophosphate glass doped by Yb3+ and Er3+ organic precursors

Abstract The basic limitation for Er-doped glass waveguide development is due to clustering of active ions providing part of the observed self-quenching. We introduce rare-earth-doping by an organic precursor, Er(btfa) 3 bipy, with large Er–Er distances instead of those usually found in Er 2 O 3 . This is shown to allow some reduction of the ion clustering even in multicomponent glasses as demonstrated by the co-operative luminescence signature of Yb 3+ used as a probe. Correlatively, self-quenching of the 1.5 μm transition of Er 3+ is found to be reduced.